Alternately, a simple rating or "like/dislike" system would be nice if it can be implemented in the forums. That way, even if you don't have anything to say, you can at least show your approval or disapproval anonymously to whoever post their comic.

That's not very likely to happen, unfortunately. I can't remember what exactly the situation is, but it's something along the lines of the guy who runs the website doesn't have time for it anymore. The forum is running on outdated software, and the mods that are here only have so much power and wouldn't be able to do anything major.

As for that etiquette "rule," I agree it may not sound the best, but I really don't think that's why people aren't posting. It seems to me that most people who post that forum are looking to promote themselves without checking the other threads. There's a small handful of people who leave feedback for new posters, but a greater number of people who post in that forum and seem to not care about the rest of the board (though who knows).

I myself ignore threads that people use as update reminders. Except for ewomack's. But he's got funny titles.

wrote:

That makes us a lesser resource if you are trying to increase readership, but a greater resource if you are trying to get advice or share links.

I agree, but there's no reason a webcomic creator can't be a reader too. I think people that only create and don't look at what else is out there are going to have a harder time finding an audience.

As for getting comments/feedback on your comics: in my situation, most of the people who leave comments are webcomic creators that I leave comments for. I have a handful of people which I have no idea where they came from, but if you want comments, try leaving comments on comics you read.

Leaving comments also puts your URL out there, since a lot of sites use either Gravatar or Disqus. Gravatar lets you enter your URL each time, and you can attach your URL to your Disqus profile. (But obviously don't spam people's websites, leave legit comments.)

I'm not going to guarantee anything since everyone's experiences will be different, but people are inherently selfish. Take an interest in others and show them you like their stuff, then they may take a peak at yours and return the favor. I've more than once started reading a comic because the author left me comments.

Also, keep in mind that most of your readers just aren't going to say anything unless they think it's really warranted. But if they keep coming back, then they like something you're doing.

JFD wrote:

...and no one should reply if they don't have anything constructive to say...

I think in most situations, you can think of something positive to say to a person about their comic, even if it isn't your thing. A few kind words may help people feel like they aren't being ignored as well._________________

There may also be various lifestyle changes and what not. People moving on to new careers, etc.

It may also be that we are the end of the Internet Generation, and perhaps we are now in the Smartphone Generation. These new kids just don't know how awesome it is to make web pages.

Those are two scary thoughts...

End of the internet generation. What would that be like? Like, the internet would just be a huge communications hub for talking, learning and gaming? No more money to be made online unless you're an online store. No more online hopes of grandeur, and making it big with websites like Facebook, twitter etc.

We very well could be heading there.

As far as smart phones, I think we have a ways to go before we get tired of them._________________

The dream of making it "big" on the internet was always an illusion... the same of making it "big" in the "real" world... your chances are really just as good... those with the most resources and the money to pay the most talented people almost always prevail, with some exceptions, but not many... those who did get an early dig did benefit somewhat... there are some comic sites with huge followings... but nothing like the old days of newspaper comics where immense wealth can be found... sadly, the internet will likely shrink and become more of a consumer-facing medium... I think most of us here lived through the "golden age" of the web... it seems to be slowly ending... or maybe quickly?_________________Ed Womack

The dream of making it "big" on the internet was always an illusion... the same of making it "big" in the "real" world... your chances are really just as good... those with the most resources and the money to pay the most talented people almost always prevail, with some exceptions, but not many... those who did get an early dig did benefit somewhat... there are some comic sites with huge followings... but nothing like the old days of newspaper comics where immense wealth can be found... sadly, the internet will likely shrink and become more of a consumer-facing medium... I think most of us here lived through the "golden age" of the web... it seems to be slowly ending... or maybe quickly?

I agree and disagree. I think the golden age is over for the things we think of. But the new products apps and websites still can make it big by being new, unique and accessible.

Making money with webcomics is rare. I'd bet its better to network IRL than online. Ads and stuff like that will be the lasting money makers on the internet. Younger and younger audiences who use the internet use it differently today though. Like an entertainment communications hub. They don't click ads or give a crap about over saturated things like webcomics. There's just so much. That's not to say everyone is like that, just the majority (IMO).

However the internet will never die. We need information and we need it fast and we always need to communicate. So it'll be useful forever.

vulpeslibertas wrote:

ewomack wrote:

I think most of us here lived through the "golden age" of the web... it seems to be slowly ending... or maybe quickly?

I wouldn't bet on it. The world is in flux right now, things are changing and people are changing with it. The ability to share information with other people is an essential human need, so the web will always be here. I expect its more of an ebb and flow of the tide.

Right now TWCL has about 22000 webcomics. Even considering that 75% are probably dead, that's still a pretty sizeable community. Also important, many dead comics still have sizeable archives available to the public.

TWCL itself has, of course, seen better days. Most of the old core personalities have moved on, and that's what drives forum conversation. The sun attracts planets, and the planets draw in moons, and the moons draw in comets. Loose the sun, and you lose everything that orbits around it. Ash has moved on to other things and hasn't given the power to update the site to any of his minions (which I am of the opinion he should do - naturally I'll volunteer wendyw for all of the hard work), so the forum is a little broken and is easy prey for spambots. Fix these things and it would probably be back to the Golden Days pretty quick.

I can't say for sure or not. I hope so. I guess it depends on a number of factors like getting new users here posting again. It certainly has the potential. The question is how does a site like this recover its glory days? Is it just that ppl move on or does the site just need an overhaul?

I think it's moreso that the formats have changed. Web 2.0 basically offers instant notifications of new posts, and you can link tons of sites to your social media profiles to keep all that information in one place. Forums are dying, but social media is hopping. People like profiles that that follow them around the web, because it takes out the inconvenience of needing to register on yet another website and risk forgetting your username/password/email and whatever else the site requires to log in.

There are countless of webcomic creators on Twitter. There's tons of webcomic groups on Facebook. A lot of these are active as well, though a lot of it may be spamming self-promotional stuff.

TWCL has the top slot when you google "webcomic list" or "webcomic listing", so people will continue to come here. We need to figure out how to make it more inviting for people to stay.

Updating the forum software would help considerably, I think, especially if it would block out the bots we have now. You guys do a good job of cleaning them up, but sometimes (usually in the dead of night) there's so many of them it makes the forum look more dead than it is.

vulpeslibertas wrote:

Ash has moved on to other things and hasn't given the power to update the site to any of his minions (which I am of the opinion he should do - naturally I'll volunteer wendyw for all of the hard work)

Is this something that would be reasonable to ask for (again, if not already)? Or is he just too busy to ever get around to it?

If we can't ever fix the problems the forum has or gain enough control to make it more manageable, it may honestly be better to create a new forum. Though that a whole lot of work still, and possibly money, so probably not a practical answer._________________

The early days of the web seemed to be more of a "golden age" of creation, invention and expansion by individuals and small groups. I think the future of the internet will be more dominated by people with power and money. The little people will likely get pushed more and more to the margins. Well, I think they're already pushed to the margins. But we'll see. I don't see those early days returning, though.

As for this forum, well... at least it's still functioning. Nearly all of the forums I visit are in the same state... few posts, little action and a post-apocalyptic ambiance. Many, though, have expired. So I'm happy this forum remains, even at the greatly reduced participation rates.

Forums probably won't disappear altogether, but they'll probably become a macrocosm of the "old" web that lives on..._________________Ed Womack

Some experiments have been tried with upgrading the forum. wendy has talked about it before. It's definitely possible, but it's a matter have having the time and technical expertise to do it.

For the moment, I'm just concerned with increasing the discussion here, and I think it's working. Hard to tell, but it seems slightly more lively here than a month or two ago. I'm more likely to log in and find new posts.

Maybe if we tied TWCL into Facebook and/or Twitter that would increase traffic.

I agree that those things should be tried. Its a good forum and I think new ppl would post here if they knew about it or it was updated a bit. But I understand it takes a lot of time. Maybe some day?

ewomack wrote:

The early days of the web seemed to be more of a "golden age" of creation, invention and expansion by individuals and small groups. I think the future of the internet will be more dominated by people with power and money. The little people will likely get pushed more and more to the margins. Well, I think they're already pushed to the margins. But we'll see. I don't see those early days returning, though.

As for this forum, well... at least it's still functioning. Nearly all of the forums I visit are in the same state... few posts, little action and a post-apocalyptic ambiance. Many, though, have expired. So I'm happy this forum remains, even at the greatly reduced participation rates.

Forums probably won't disappear altogether, but they'll probably become a macrocosm of the "old" web that lives on...

Interesting...kind of has a movie feel but its just about the internet. Haha. I do feel the post apocalyptic vibe around here and on most forums too. So sad....

Those money hungry and powerful ppl will ruin the internet if that keeps up._________________

Ash has moved on to other things and hasn't given the power to update the site to any of his minions (which I am of the opinion he should do - naturally I'll volunteer wendyw for all of the hard work), so the forum is a little broken and is easy prey for spambots.

Heh. Thanks for that. roll

But yeah, I'd be happy to take on more duties here if I had access.

How do you get said access? Would we need to vote? Haha. Vote for wendyw! Vote for wendyw!